U.S. patent number 6,276,109 [Application Number 09/466,646] was granted by the patent office on 2001-08-21 for motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to Arun G. Hingorani, Louis Seitz.
United States Patent |
6,276,109 |
Hingorani , et al. |
August 21, 2001 |
Motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method
Abstract
A motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method including a
molded plastic trim panel having a facia portion, an integral skirt
portion, a plurality of flat cantilever platforms on an inside
surface of the facia portion, and a plurality of pairs of raised
bosses on the inside surface of the facia portion. Each platform
has a pair of side panels attached thereto by integral "living"
hinges. A push-in fastener is supported in a slot in each platform.
The side panels are folded down and snapped behind the raised
bosses which retain the side panels in active positions defining
struts between the platform and the inside surface of the facia
portion. Force applied to an outside surface of the facia portion
thrusts the push-in fastener into a socket in a vehicle body panel
to secure the facia portion without the push-in fasteners being
externally visible. The struts react to the facia portion a
fraction of the thrust applied to the push-in fastener to prevent
flexure of the platform. Because each platform is integral with the
facia portion along only one edge of the platform, the plastic trim
panel can be extracted from its mold without resort to sliding
cores.
Inventors: |
Hingorani; Arun G. (Sterling
Heights, MI), Seitz; Louis (Cortland, OH) |
Assignee: |
General Motors Corporation
(Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23852575 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/466,646 |
Filed: |
December 20, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/716.5;
52/716.1; 52/716.6; 52/716.7; 52/718.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
13/04 (20130101); B60R 2013/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
13/04 (20060101); E04C 002/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/716.1,716.5,716.6,716.7,718.01,718.04,718.05,745.02
;296/29 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Friedman; Carl D.
Assistant Examiner: Tran A; Phi Dieu
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leahy; Charles E.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A trim panel assembly for covering a motor vehicle body panel
comprising:
a molded plastic trim panel including a facia portion having an
inside surface and an outside surface,
a flat cantilever platform integral with the facia portion on the
inside surface thereof adapted to face the vehicle body panel
having a pair of side edges,
a pair of flat side panels each having an arched edge matching the
contour of the inside surface of the facia portion,
a pair of living hinges integral with the flat cantilever platform
and with respective ones of the pair of flat side panels supporting
each of the pair of flat side panels on the flat cantilever
platform at respective ones of the pair of side edges thereof for
pivotal movement against a resilient restoring force of each of the
pair of living hinges from a first position in the plane of the
flat cantilever platform to a second position perpendicular to the
flat cantilever platform with the arched edge thereof bearing
against the inside surface of the facia portion,
a retainer means operable to retain each of the pair of flat side
panels in the second position thereof,
a push-in fastener means, and
an attachment means operable to attach the push-in fastener means
to the flat cantilever platform,
each of the pair of flat side panels in the second position thereof
constituting a strut between the flat cantilever platform and the
inside surface of the facia portion operable to prevent flexure of
the flat cantilever platform when the push-in fastener means is
thrust into a socket in the vehicle body panel by a force on the
outside surface of the facia portion.
2. The trim panel assembly for covering a motor vehicle body panel
recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer means comprises:
a pair of raised bosses on the inside surface of the facia portion
below respective ones of the pair of living hinges each blocking
pivotal movement of a corresponding one of the flat side panels
from the second position thereof toward the first position thereof
by the resilient restoring force of the corresponding one of the
pair of integral living hinges.
3. The trim panel assembly for covering a motor vehicle body panel
recited in claim 2 wherein the attachment means operable to attach
the push-in fastener means to the flat cantilever platform
comprises:
a slot in the flat cantilever platform having an open end,
a pair of windows in the flat cantilever platform on opposite sides
of the slot therein,
a lower body on the push-in fastener means having a pair of
channels therein slidably receiving respective ones of a pair of
opposite edges of the slot in the flat cantilever platform and
cooperating therewith in preventing dislodgment of the push-in
fastener means from the slot in the flat cantilever platform
perpendicular to the flat cantilever platform, and
a pair of hooks on the lower body on the push-in fastener means
seated in respective ones of the pair of windows in the flat
cantilever platform and cooperating therewith in preventing
dislodgment of the push-in fastener means from the slot in the flat
cantilever platform through the open end of the slot.
4. A method of making a trim panel assembly for covering a motor
vehicle body panel comprising the steps of:
molding a one-piece plastic trim panel including
a facia portion having an inside surface and an outside
surface,
a flat cantilever platform integral with the facia portion on the
inside surface thereof having a pair of side edges,
a pair of flat side panels each having an arched edge matching the
contour of the inside surface of the facia portion, and
a pair of living hinges integral with the flat cantilever platform
and with respective ones of the pair of flat side panels supporting
each of the pair of flat side panels on the flat cantilever
platform at respective ones of the pair of side edges thereof for
pivotal movement against a resilient restoring force of each of the
pair of living hinges from a first position in the plane of the
flat cantilever platform to a second position perpendicular to the
flat cantilever platform with the arched edge thereof bearing
against the inside surface of the facia portion,
pivoting each of the pair of flat side panels from the first
position thereof to the second position thereof so that each of the
flat side panels constitutes a strut between the flat cantilever
platform and the inside surface of the facia portion,
retaining each of the pair of flat side panels in the second
position thereof, and
attaching a push-in fastener means to the flat cantilever
platform.
5. The method of making a trim panel assembly for covering a motor
vehicle body panel recited in claim 4 wherein the step of retaining
each of the pair of flat side panels in the second position thereof
comprises the step of:
forming on the inside surface of the facia portion a pair of raised
bosses below respective ones of the pair of living hinges, and
resiliently snapping each of the flat side panels over a
corresponding one of the pair of raised bosses during pivotal
movement of each of the pair of flat side panels from the first
position thereof to the second position thereof so that each of the
pair of raised bosses blocks return pivotal movement of a
corresponding one of the flat side panels from the second position
thereof toward the first position thereof by the resilient
restoring force of the corresponding one of the pair of integral
living hinges.
Description
This invention relates to a motor vehicle trim panel assembly and a
method of making the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motor vehicle body typically includes a pair of longitudinal
"rocker" panels where the vertical sides of the body intersect the
horizontal floor of the body. For aesthetic purposes, the rocker
panels are commonly covered or shrouded by a pair of trim panel
assemblies each including a molded plastic trim panel having a
facia portion shaped to fit over a vertical side of the rocker
panel and a skirt portion shaped to fit over a horizontal bottom of
the rocker panel. The trim panel is molded in a selected color with
a plurality of integral L-shaped supports on an inside surface of
the facia portion each including a platform facing the vertical
side of the rocker panel and a strut perpendicular to the platform
at an outboard edge of the platform. A push-in fastener of the trim
panel assembly is mounted in a slot in the platform of each of the
L-shaped supports. Force applied to an outer surface of the facia
portion at each of the L-shaped supports thrusts the push-in
fastener thereon into a socket in the vertical side of the rocker
panel to secure the facia portion of the trim panel to the rocker
panel without the push-in fasteners being externally visible. The
strut of each of the L-shaped supports transfers or reacts to the
facia portion a fraction of the thrust applied to the corresponding
push-in fastener to prevent flexure of the platform of the L-shaped
support. In order to mold the trim panel with such integral
L-shaped supports, a relatively complex mold is required including
a plurality of sliding cores which must be withdrawn from inside of
the L-shaped supports in order for the trim panel to be extracted
from the mold. Such sliding cores increase the cost of the molds
and are responsible for visible undulations in the outer surface of
the facia portion of the trim panel attributable to relatively more
rapid curing of the plastic melt which contacts the sliding cores.
A trim panel assembly and method according to this invention are
improvements over trim assemblies having such molded plastic trim
panels with integral L-shaped supports and methods of making the
same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a new and improved trim panel assembly and method
of making the same including a molded plastic trim panel having a
facia portion shaped to fit over the body panel, an integral skirt
portion, a plurality of flat cantilever platforms on an inside
surface of the facia portion facing the body panel, and a plurality
of pairs of raised bosses on the inside surface of the facia
portion below the platforms. Each platform has a pair of side
panels attached thereto by integral "living" hinges. A push-in
fastener of the trim panel assembly is supported in a slot in each
platform. The side panels are folded down and snapped behind the
raised bosses which retain the side panels in active positions
defining struts or braces between the platform and the inside
surface of the facia portion. Force applied to an outside surface
of the facia portion at each of the platforms thrusts the push-in
fastener thereon into a socket in the body panel to secure the
facia portion of the trim panel to the body panel without the
push-in fasteners being externally visible. The struts transfer or
react to the facia portion a fraction of the thrust applied to the
corresponding push-in fastener to prevent flexure of the platform.
Because each platform is integral with the facia portion along only
one edge of the platform, the plastic trim panel can be extracted
from its mold without resort to sliding cores. Manufacturing
expense and surface undulations attributable to such sliding cores
are thus avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trim panel assembly according to
this invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trim panel assembly according
to this invention taken generally in the direction indicated by
arrow "2" in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the portion of
FIG. 2 identified by reference circle "3" in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines
4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 showing structural elements of the trim
panel assembly according to this invention in different relative
positions; and
FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines
6--6 in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a fragmentarily illustrated motor vehicle body
10 includes a front fender 12, a rear quarter panel 14, a pair of
doors 16A,16B, and a longitudinal "rocker" panel 18 below the doors
between the front fender and the rear quarter panel. The rocker
panel 18 is covered or shrouded by a trim panel assembly 20
according to this invention.
The trim panel assembly 20 includes a plastic trim panel 22 molded
in one piece in any selected color. The trim panel 22 includes an
arched facia portion 24 shaped to match the contour of a vertical
side 26 of the rocker panel 18, an integral skirt portion 28
matching the contour of a bottom 30 of the rocker panel, and a pair
of integral end flanges 32A,32B. The skirt portion 28 terminates at
a scalloped edge 34 having a plurality of perforations 36 therein
which may be reinforced by a corresponding plurality of metal
clips, not shown. The facia portion 24 terminates at an upper edge
38 of the trim panel.
As seen best in FIGS. 2-5, the plastic trim panel 22 further
includes a plurality of integral, flat cantilever platforms 40 on
an inside surface 42 of the facia portion below the upper edge 38
thereof facing the vertical side 26 of the rocker panel. Each
platform 40 has a longitudinal inner edge 44 where the platform
merges with the inside surface of the facia portion, a longitudinal
outer edge 46 parallel to the inner edge, and a pair of side edges
48A,48B perpendicular to the inner and the outer edges. Each
platform 40 is interrupted by a slot 50 perpendicular to and open
through the outer edge 46 and by a pair of windows 52 on opposite
sides of the slot.
Each platform 40 has a pair of integral side panels 54A,54B. Each
side panel 54A,54B extends longitudinally beyond the corresponding
one of the side edges 48A,48B of the platform in the plane thereof,
FIG. 5, and includes an arched edge 56 matching the contour of the
inside surface 42 of the facia portion 24. The side panels 54A,54B
are separated from the platform 40 by respective ones of a pair of
V-shaped grooves 58A,58B at the side edges of the platform which
constitute respective ones of a pair of integral or "living" hinges
60A,60B at which the side panels are pivotable relative to the
platform against restoring forces attributable to the natural or
residual resilience of the plastic from which the trim panel 22 is
molded. Because each platform 40 is integral with the facia portion
along only one edge of the platform and the side panels are wholly
separate from the facia portion, the plastic trim panel can be
molded in one piece and extracted from its mold without resort to
sliding cores. Manufacturing expense and surface undulations in an
outside surface 61 of the facia portion attributable to such
sliding cores are thus avoided.
The inside surface 42 of the facia portion of the trim panel is
further interrupted by a plurality of pairs of raised bosses
62A,62B generally below the living hinges 60A,60B. The side panels
54A,54B on each platform 40 are manually folded down at the living
hinges against the aforesaid restoring force from their flat,
molded positions, FIG. 5, in the plane of the platform to active
positions, FIGS. 3-4, perpendicular to the platform. Concurrently,
the raised bosses 62A,62B cam the arched edges 56 of the side
panels away from the inside surface of the facia portion to
resiliently flex the platform 40 in cantilever beam bending. When
the side panels attain their active positions, the natural
resilience of the platform snaps the side panels behind the raised
bosses with their arched edges bearing flush against the inside
surface of the facia portion, FIGS. 3-4. At the same time, the
aforesaid restoring force on each of the side panels biases the
side panels against the raised bosses which thus maintain the side
panels in their active positions.
As seen best in FIGS. 3 and 6, respective ones of a plurality of
push-in fasteners 64 of the trim panel assembly 20 are mounted on
the platforms 40. Each push-in fastener 64 includes a lower body 66
having a pair of channels 68 which slidably receive the sides of
the slot 50 in the platform and a post-shaped upper body 70
perpendicular to the lower body. The lower body 66 further includes
a pair of hooks 72 which snap into respective ones of the windows
52 in the platform to prevent dislodgment of the push-in fastener
from the slot 50. The upper body 70 has a pair of tangs 74 thereon
each resiliently flexible into a cross slot 76, FIG. 6, in the
upper body.
With the push-in fasteners 64 mounted on the platforms 40 as
described above, the trim panel assembly 20 is secured to the
vehicle body 10 over the rocker panel 18 as follows. The plastic
trim panel 22 is positioned over the rocker panel with the facia
portion 24 facing the vertical side 26 of the rocker panel and the
skirt portion 28 facing the bottom 30 of the rocker panel. The
facia portion is secured to the vertical side of the rocker panel
by aligning the push-in fasteners 64 with respective ones of a
plurality of sockets 78 in the vertical side of the rocker panel
and then applying force on the outside surface 61 of the facia
portion generally at each of the platforms 40. The applied force
thrusts the upper bodies 70 of the push-in fasteners into the
sockets 78 which flex the tangs 74 into the cross slots in the
upper bodies. At the same time, the side panels 54A,54B, in their
active positions, constitute struts or braces which transfer or
react to the facia portion a fraction of the force applied to the
corresponding push-in fastener to prevent flexure of the platform
40. When the facia portion attains an installed position, not
shown, over the rocker panel, the tangs 74 snap out of the upper
body of each push-in fastener and secure the facia portion to the
rocker panel by preventing dislodgment of the push-in fasteners
from the sockets without the push-in fasteners being externally
visible.
The skirt portion 28 of the plastic trim panel 22 is secured to the
bottom 30 of the rocker panel by a plurality of fasteners, not
shown, inserted through the perforations 36 into respective ones of
a plurality of sockets, not shown, in the bottom of the rocker
panel. The flanges 32A,32B on the ends of the plastic trim panel 22
are secured by respective ones a pair of fasteners 82 inserted
through apertures in the flanges into respective ones of a pair of
plastic sockets 84 mounted on the ends of the rocker panel.
* * * * *